Flying-machine.



A. H. FRIEDEL.

1111111111 1111101111111. APPLICATION FILED 00T. 13, 1908.

Patented Feb. 14,1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

anouwis Patented Feb. 14, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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A. H. FRIEDEL.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED ooI. 13, 1908.

Patented Feb. 14,1911.

3 BHBET8-BHBET 3.

ALBERT HUGO FRIEDEL, F BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

FLYING-MACHINE.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 14, 1911.

Application led October 13, 1908. Serial No. 457,569.

To all whom it may concern:

,at Baltimore,

Be it known that I, ALBERT HUGO FRIE- nnma citizen of the United States, residing State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in I4`lying-l\lachines, of which the fiollowing is a specification. 4

The present invention relates to machines for navigating the air and operable without a buoyant field, and embodying. planes and a plurality of fans which are arranged with reference to both lifting and propelling.

The essential feature of the invention is the arrangement 'of' the lifting propellers upon 'opposite sides of a medial line, and to provide cach with operating means automatically controlled by change of level of the machine-so that same may be caused to glide `on an even keel and thereby prevent overturning or the machine running upon a dangerous slant.

The 'invention contemplates supplying each fan with a motor and to provide a valve mechanism for controlling the supply of motive mdium to each motor, said valve mechanism being governed by a gravity device, whereby upon the'niachine inclining or departing from .an even keel, the supply of motive medium to the motors on the lower side is increased or relatively so, with a view to increase the speed of the fans and thereby lift the lower side of the machine and bring same to an even keel.

The invention also contemplates manually operable devices for admitting the motive fluid to the several motors independently of the gravity operated governing means.

lVhile the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions by changes in the structure and minor details without dcparting from the spirit or essential features thereof, still thepreferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, in

fwhich Figure l is alperspective view of a flying machine embodymg the invention.

Fig. 2 is an end View of coperating lifting planes. Fig. 3 is a plan View of the parts shown in Fig. 2, the gravity plane being in horizontal section. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the reservoir nfor containing compressed air, showing the valve mechanism and the gravity operated governor therefor. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of an automatic valve on the line -#x of Fig. 4, looking in the direction ofthe arrows and showing the same on a larger scale. Fig. G is a sectional view of main and branch pipes showing the coperating valves, the parts being on a larger scale. Fig. 7 is a side view of the machine. Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11 show different forms of aeroplanes.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The machine may be of any `design and .construction best adapted 'for the purposes, and comprises a suitable framework 1 which supports the several aeroplanes, lifting and propelling fans, motors, car. and adjunctive parts. The lane 2 1s arranged at the top of the machine and occupies an approxi- 4mately horizontal lposition and curves slightly transversely. Other planes 3 are located at the sides of the horizontal plane 2 and incline upwardly and outwardly and serve to assist 1n preventing the tilting of the machine. The several planes are suitably braced or stayed. The side planes 3 are provided near their ends with wings l set in openings therein, said wings being oblong and pivotal] y supported at their front ends. The several wings 4 are attached to shafts which are provided with cranks to which operating cords 5 are connected, and the operating cords after passing over suitable arrangements of guide pulleys extend within convenient reach of the aviator', to admit` of the wings being opened more or less to assist materially in directing and controlling the movements of the machine.

Openings are provided in the four corners of the horizontal plane 2 and liftingI fans G are arranged to operate therein, said fans being of ordinary construction and attached to shafts whichincline slightly to the perpendicular and are provided with motors 7. Each fan has its own motor 7 and the latter may be of any variety but it is preferred to employ motors of the rotary type so as to be operated by compressed air, r`which is stored in a suitable reservoir. A pipe 8 suplies the compressed air or like motive meiuln'to each motor and connnunicates with the reservoir 9 in which the compressed air is stored. A pipe 'l0 connects with each motor to carry otf the spent or exhaust air and these pipes are provided in their length with a series of minute openings, facing downward. so as to discharge the spent air in a series of jets, in a way to materially as- 'brought back to an even keel.

-sist in both lifting and propelling the machine by impact with the atmosphere.

Driving propellers 11 are located at opposite ends of the machine and are centrally disposed and operate jointly to propel the machine through the air. The propellers 11, like the fans 6 may be of any approved .supply pipes 8 are connected to the reservoir 9 in like manner a detailed description of one only will be given. A valve 12 is arranged in the end of the pipe 8 and comprises a hollow stem and a head, the latter closing against the end of the pipe. (See Fig. 6.)l A packing 13 isl fitted upon the stem of the valve and against the 'head thereof 'and insures a close fit between the valve andv the end ofthe pipe. When the valve is moved inward an opening 14 in a side of the hollow stem establishes communication between the reservoirv and the pipe and admits of compressed air passing from the reservoir into the pipe and thence tothe motor for operating the fan or propeller arranged to be driven thereby. rQlhe several valves 12 are connected to a gravity operated governor' which consists of a rod or bar 15 having a weight 16 and suspended by a universal 'joint 17, so as to swing in all directions. rlthe rod or'bar v15 projects and terminates in a handle 1.8 to be convenientlyv grasped by the aviator. rlhe gravity 'operated governor is preferably arranged to operate in the reservoir 9 and is suspended in the top of said reservoir'by means of the universal joint 17. A chain` 19 or like connection forms a tie between each of the valves 12 and the rod or bar 15 of the gravity operated governor. lt is to be understood that the rod or bar 15' at all times occupies a vertical position irrespective of the relative position of the machine, hence should the machine tilt laterally or longi-` tudinally, the valve connected with the governor and controlling the supply pipe leading to the fan or propeller on the low side 'is open thereby permitting a larger supply of motive medium to the fan or propeller on the low side with the result that the machine being subjected togreater lifting-'force on the low side is arighted or leveled and ltis to be understood that the valve is opened more or less according to the degree of inclination of the machine from a horizontal position, hence the speed of the fan or propeller is proportionately increased so. as to remedy the disturbing influence and bring the machine to a balance. By extending the rod or bar 15 the series of valves 12 may be manin hollow seance ually operated, independently of the gravity operated governor, this being of advantage in an' emergency, or for other purposes necessitating the driving'of the fans or propellers at unequal speeds to attain a desired result.

A pipe 20 connects with each supply pipe 8 and forms in effect a branch thereof. The

branch pipes 2O likewise connect with the reservoir 9 and each is provided with a valve 21 similar in construction and operation to the valve 12. V'llhe valves 21 are adapted to be operated by hand only so as to control the supply of compressed 'air to the motors. rlhe meansfor operating the valves 2l consist of bars 22 which are arrangedto operate guides 23 connected with the branch pipes 20. The bars 22 pass through openings 24 in opposite sides of the .hollow stems of the valves 2l, and are provided with inclined portions 25 which engage with pins 26 of the valves 21, so as to open said valves when required;

A wheel 27 is conveniently located to be` operated by hand and is connected with each of the bars 22.so `as to operate all at the same instant whereby the several lifting fans are started together, thereby maintaining the machine parallel to a nominal position at all stages of its ascent.l The wheel 27 is rovided at intervals around its outer rim with grips or handles comprising concentric ringsjand spokes, the latter being extended Ito form the grips as shown most clearly in Fig. 1 Guides 28 direct the wheel 27 in its movements, said guides consisting` of posts' projecting upward from the top of the reservoir and having' their upper portions bifurcated to recelve. a ring of the wheel thereby prevent-ing lateral displacement thereof. Suitable connections 29 are interposed between the wheel and the bars 22 and mayconsist of wire, chains or the like. l'Vhen the wheel 27 is moved upward all the valves 21 are opened and the compressed air passes to the motors 0f the lifting fans and the latter' are simultaneously actuated, thereby moving the machine at all points. Should the machine from any cause depart from an even keel the gravity operated governor comesinto play and vopens the valve or valves 12, controlling the pipes by means of which compressed air is supplied to the fans or propellers on the low side with the result hereinbefore stated.

supplementing the action of the lifting fans are pairs of lifting planes, a pair being located at each side of the machine and preferably below the longitudinal edge portions `of the horizontal plane 2. These lifting planes extend nearly or entirely the whole length lof the machine. The lifting planes and adjunctive parts of the machine, are duplicated ateach side thereof, hence a detailed descriptionof one will answer for a 45 inclined planes to clear understanding of both. Each lifting plane 30 is mounted in a shaft 31 so as to receive a transverse slidable movement whereby portions of the planes project to unequal distances beyond their respective shafts.

The parts are so arranged that the edge portions of the planes on the descending side present a larger 'area of surface than the edge portions of the ascending side, thereby forming a minimum resistance to the part of the planes in their ascent and a maximum amount of resistance to the portions descending'. vThis results in a maximum lifting force and a minimum resistance to the ascending machine. The shaftsBl are formed with diametrical slots in which the planes 30 are slidably mounted, said planes being transversely moved by suitable guides as the shafts rotate. The transverse movement of -the'planes may be effected in any manner and for convenience of illustration cams32 are provided as shown most clearly in- Figs. 2 and 3. The cams 32 engage with the end portions of the planes and in the rotation of the latter move them transversely of the shafts, so as to attain the results stated, namely a maximum amount of surface on the descending side and a minimum surface on the ascending side of the planes. Motors 7 are fitted to the shafts 31 and are connected by pipes 8 to the reservoir 9.

A treadle operated valve 33 is located in the length of the pipes running to the mo- 35 tors of the lifting planes, thereby admitting of the supply of air to said motors being controlled by foot, thereby leaving the hands of the aviator free to manipulate other controlling parts of the machine.

A machine of the character herein disclosed is lifted directly and does not require an initial forward movement as is generally required by heavier than air machines devoid of lift-ing propellers and requiring rideupon the air in the forward movement of the machine.- By

properly controlling the speed of the moving fans and `planes the machine may be maintained at any desired elevation. It will thus be understood that the machine may be directly held in suspension over a given point and may be driven forward or backward by controlling the direction of rotation of the propellers. It is further observed that the machine may be driven at any speed within its capa-city, since the propulsion is not dependent upon the lifting or sustaining means, in any wise, the latter being wholly independent of the propelling means.

The descent of the machine may be regnlated by driving the lifting fans and propellers at a greater or less speed.

The framework of the machine may be formed of solid or tubular bars the latter being preferred since the spent motive me- 'by reason of the varying dium may be exhausted therefrom through minute openings which. may be so disposed as to be utilized both in lifting and propelling the machine. The-exhaust pipes 10 from the several motors are connected to the uprights of the frame-work so that when required motive medium may be conducted thereto to direct the machine to the right or to the left,l according to the prescribed Course.

As indicated most clearly in Fig. 7 valved pipes 34 connect directly with the air reservoir and with the uprights of the framework, and by proper manipulation of t-he valves governing said pipes 34, the motive medium from the reservoir is admitted into opposite uprights thereby enabling the machine to be quickly directed from a straight course as may be required either for steering or to meet any emergency. S5

In order to give the machine a positive initial upward impetus when starting the- Ypropellers or fans 11, lifters are provided, preferably four in number, and arranged in pairs, each pair being secured to the extremities of a shaft 36. The lifters 35 comprise a series of arms varying in length progressively, the short arm of each being in direct contact with the earth. As the machine moves forward 'under the im- 95 petus of the fans 1l the lifters 35 turn and and progressive arrangement of the arms 35 the machine is gradually lifted, thereby supplementing the action of the lifting fans and positively overcoming the inertia of the machine at the outstart. It is not necessary that the lifters be attached to shafts as they may be mounted upon the frame-work of the machine in any manner so long as they turn by the combined action 'of the forward movement of the machine and direct contact of the arms with the earth.

While the rectangular form of the aeroplane 2 is preferred, nevertheless other 110 shapes are contemplated as indicated in Figs. 8, t), 10 and 11, and in each instance the planes are provided with lifting fans 6 which are set in openings provided in the planes as indicated.

It is to be understood that the several valve members are restored to closed position by the pressure of air in the reservoir 9. It is also to be understood that the manually operable means for admitting the fluid 120 pressure from the reservoir 9 through the various pipes 8 to the different motors is not actuated or correlated to the gravity operative means for opening the valves leading to the pipes 8. The wheel 27 is only 125 used when it 1s desired to start all the motorsl simultaneously, and in such event the operator will grasp any two diametrically opposite handles which project outwardly from the wheel 27 and lift the wheel bodily 130 porting framework,

, spective motors, branch whereby .to draw upwardly on all ofthe wires 29 so as to open all of the valves 21 simultaneously.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. A flying machine, comprising a. supan aeroplane to which the framework is connected, propellers mounted in the framework, motors adapted to drive the propellers, a compressed air reservoir mounted in the framework, supply pipes leading from the reservoir vto the repipes leading from the reservoir and connected to the respective supply pipes, gravity controlled valves in the supply pipes at those ends of the latter which are,z connected to the reservoir, and valves mu'nted in the branch pipes and adapted to admit of the air pressure passing from the reservoir through the supply pipes independently of the first-named valves, guides connected to the top of the reservoir, a wheel vertically movable in said guides and provided with a plurality of radially extending handles, means for actuating said lastnamed valves, and connections between such means and said wheel.

2. A iying machine, comprising a framework, an aeroplane to which the framework is connected,` propellers mounted in the framework, motors carried by the framework and operatively connected to the propellers, in the framework, and supply pipes leading from the reservoir to the motors, a pendulous rod mounted in the reservoir and having universal swinging movement therein, valves provided-with tubular body portions adaptedlto be slipped into the ends of the supply pipes from the reservoir and provided with gasketed heads within the reservoir, the barrels being formed with form communications between the interior of the reservoir and the interior of the supply pipes, and flexible connections bet-Ween th pendulous rod and the heads of the said va ves.

3. A flying machine, comprising a framework, an aeroplane to which the framework 1s connected, propellers mounted in the framework, motors operatively connected to a compressed air reservoir mounted openings adapted to osaace lgravity controlled valves for the ymain portions of the supply pipes, reciprocating valves in the inner ends of the branch pipes adapted to establish communication bctween the interior of said branch pipes and the interior of the reservoir, hollow guides connected with the branch pipes, bars provided with oppositely inclined p ortions and mounted to move in said guides, means for moving said bars, and pins connected to the respective last named valves and adapted to be engaged by bars, whereby to move said valves in one .direction.

ll. ln a iiying machine, a plurality of propellers, motors for driving same, a compressed air reservoir, a series of circularly.

provided with a plurality of radially ex-I tending hand grasps, the hand wheel being arranged for a vertical movement, and means for opening said valves, said means including wires that are connected to the hand wheel. p

5. In a flying machine, planes connected to the side edges of said horizontal plane, and inclined upwardly and outwardly therefrom, the incllned planes being formed with openings, wings set in said openings, means for moving said wings, the horizontal planes being also formed with openings, lifting vanes mounted in said last named openings, and means for operating said vanes. Y

-ln testimony whereof I afixmy signature a horizontal plane,

,in presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT HUGO FRIEDEL.

the inclined portions of the 

